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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic TS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 101 x 58 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FT20
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic TS20, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and TS20 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 3 years before the TS20 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the SD970 IS grades vs the TS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic TS20

 SD970 IS TS20 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS20 over the Canon SD970 IS

 TS20 SD970 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2009More recent by 35 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic TS20

 SD970 IS TS20 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you should consider its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS has outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic TS20 has sizing of 101mm x 58mm x 19mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic TS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS and the TS20.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and TS20 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing specifications. The visual here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and TS20.

Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic TS20 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic TS20
26
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
29
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic TS20 Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
lighter than average in class (142g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic TS20 Sports photography factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
41
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic TS20
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
70
lighter than average in class (142g)
environment proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic TS20 Landscape photography info
32
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
41
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
environment proof
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic TS20 Vlogging information
27
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (142g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic TS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic TS20
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-TS20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS Lumix DMC-FT20
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2009-02-18 2012-01-31
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 142 gr (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 101 x 58 x 19mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch - $179